University College

Rick Sluder, Dean
Trey Martindale, Chief Online Learning Officer
John Burchfield, Associate Dean
Peggy Carpenter, Assistant Dean

University College exists for the purpose of helping make student success possible for the traditional and nontraditional students it serves. The staff is organized within seven unique units to meet the specific needs of the community.

MTSU Online manages all distance courses and programs including asynchronous, blended, and synchronous courses. Through its Faculty Services Office, MTSU Online assists faculty in the development and redesign of online courses and programs. The Student Services unit provides resources for all students enrolled in online courses.

The Academic Outreach unit oversees all off campus programs, including several remote teaching sites, and the Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP).

The Summer and Winter Sessions unit provides the administrative support necessary to operate the summer and winter session programs at MTSU. Students can make either of these sessions a part of their graduation strategy. Summer and Winter sessions can help a student stay on track or shorten the time to graduation, reduce the course load in other terms, or focus on courses that need full-time attention.

The University Studies Department offers the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies degree to students electing a broad-based educational experience. It also offers the Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies and the Master of Professional Studies degrees. In addition, the department provides a variety of support services to first-year and transfer students at MTSU. Their purpose is to provide academic placement support, transition support, and academic instruction and assistance where it is most appropriate for its target audience.

Academic Advising provides academic advising services for University College majors. In addition, specialized advisors for undecided students assist with course selection and registration and provide guidance and information to help undecided students select appropriate majors early in their academic careers.

The Dual Enrollment unit works with high schools and high school students to offer MTSU courses that count both as high school and college credit.

The overriding mission in all departments is to provide programs that meet the ongoing educational and support needs of the adult nontraditional and traditional students they serve. A sense of customer service and student focus is pervasive throughout the culture of the college and its staff.

Credit Area and Programs

MTSU Online

Distance Education Courses

Distance education courses, coordinated through the University College, include asynchronous online, blended, and synchronous online courses.

Asynchronous Online Courses

All instruction takes place through MTSU’s learning management system. Students are expected to have access to a computer and the Internet for completion of course requirements. Professors may offer optional meetings, but students cannot be penalized for non-attendance. Proctored exams may also be offered, and students who cannot attend the scheduled dates/times have the option of taking the exam at an approved off-campus site. Students who are most successful in online courses have excellent time management skills.

Blended Distance Education Courses

More than 50 percent of instruction and activities in this type of course takes place in an online environment. Instructors may require mandatory in-person or synchronous meetings during the term for these types of courses. Students can be penalized for non-attendance at these scheduled events.

Additional information can be found on the Course Comparison Chart located on the University College Student Services website.

NOTE: MTSU online and hybrid courses may be used to satisfy some requirements for any degree offered at MTSU. Some degrees can be earned completely online.

Synchronous Online Courses 

Synchronous online courses are accessed over the Internet typically through MTSU’s course management system. Synchronous online courses meet online at the time and days of the week specified in PipelineMT. A reliable computer and broadband Internet broadband connection is required to successfully participate in synchronous online course sessions. Hardware requirements include audio headphones, speakers, and a computer video camera (webcam) with microphone. During the class, students can hear and/or see the instructor, and communication with the instructor may take place through a microphone or text chat interface. Students should have significant Internet experience to be prepared to participate in a course of this type. Courses may require proctored exams.

NOTE: Online and blended distance education  courses may be used to satisfy some requirements for any degree offered at MTSU. Some degrees can be earned completely online.

Online and Hybrid Graduate and Undergraduate Degree Programs

For the most current information on online undergraduate and graduate programs, see Online Programs. For information on undergraduate and graduate hybrid programs, see Hybrid Programs.

Accelerated Online Courses

Accelerated Online Courses are offered in two eight-week blocks each Fall and Spring semester. Students may take only up to 9 hours in each block (parts of term A1 and A2). Students may mix accelerated courses with full-term courses (not to exceed 18 hours total) and must register for A2 courses during regular registration. Special permission is required to add A2 part-of-term courses after late registration ends. Accelerated Online Courses may include optional orientations and proctored exams.

Academic Outreach/Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP)

Adult Degree Completion Program

Some students may earn credits toward the B.S. in Integrated Studies; B.S. in Integrated Studies, Applied Leadership concentration; or the B.S. in Professional Studies through a portfolio evaluation of prior learning. For more information, call (615) 494-7714 or visit www.mtsu.edu/adcp.

Off-campus Program

Credit courses are regularly scheduled at several off-campus locations in middle Tennessee, including Smyrna, Motlow, and Columbia State Community Colleges. These are scheduled as a result of requests made by business and industry, school systems, and agencies. For more information, contact (615) 494-7714 or visit www.mtsu.edu/university-college/outreach/off-campus.php.

Summer and Winter Sessions

University College directs the MTSU Summer and Winter Sessions and is charged with the responsibility for providing a comprehensive and balanced selection of high-quality academic course offerings to enable students to pursue undergraduate and graduate academic degree programs. Working in partnership with all academic departments and campus units, MTSU Summer and Winter Sessions is committed to offering outstanding learning opportunities that both complement and enhance the educational experiences offered during the other academic terms. More information is available by contacting the Office at (615) 898-5783 or by visiting www.mtsu.edu/summer.

University Studies Department

The University Studies Department of the University College is committed to providing a firm foundation on which the students it serves can build a clear pathway leading to success within the university structure. Dedicated faculty and staff provide targeted instruction, support, and direction to entering students and those pursuing a Bachelor of Science or a master’s degree. Additionally, the department helps students determine their ideal academic placement while providing an environment that helps them adapt and transition successfully to the university culture. More information is available at www.mtsu.edu/university-college/university-studies/. Students may also contact the University Studies Department at (615) 898-2568 or visit the office in KOM 103A.

Experiential Learning Scholars Program (EXL)

The Experiential Learning Scholars Program formalizes and organizes several existing experiential learning activities such as study abroad and cooperative education and new experiential opportunities into a comprehensive program of study for students. Students formally admitted to the EXL Scholars Program must complete several activities: EXL coursework, an external service component, an MTSU internal service component, and assessment activities (including development of an e-portfolio). After their completion of EXL program requirements, students will receive an EXL Scholar designation on their transcripts and will wear special cords at commencement to signify their achievement. Some students may elect to take EXL courses, but may not complete all the requirements for the EXL Scholars Program transcript designation. More information can be found at www.mtsu.edu/exl/.

Professional Development

The Professional Development Office offers a wide variety of programs and topics specializing programs to those interested in developing their professional expertise. We offer our programs in a variety of modes, helping people of all ages achieve CEUs and certificates, accomplish professional development goals, and pursue recreational and intellectual interests. Our diverse educational opportunities, quality programs, and dedicated service give lifelong learners access to the vast and valuable resources of our university. Hundreds of courses are available online or on demand covering topics as diverse as test preparation, software mastery, professional development, and personal enrichment. The department also offers and designs training programs for the State of Tennessee health and education departments. More information regarding this program can be found at www.advanceyourskills.com.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

The Professional Development Office manages a state-certified program designed to meet the educational requirements of individuals who seek to become licensed Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel in the State of Tennessee. The program is developed with two courses (1) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and (2) Advanced Medical Technician (AEMT). Students who successfully complete these courses are eligible to take the National Registry of EMT’s psychomotor and cognitive exams which lead to certification at the EMT and Advanced EMT levels in Tennessee, as well as with the National Registry of EMTs/AEMTs. More information regarding this program can be found at www.mtsu.edu/university-college/training/emt.

Continuing Education Units

Professional Development also certifies, monitors, and tracks the issuance of continuing education units (CEUs) and continuing professional education units (CPEs) for the University and various professional groups and organizations. More information can be found at www.mtsu.edu/university-college/training/ceu.php.

More Information

More information can be obtained by calling the University College at (615) 494-7714 or by visiting www.mtsu.edu/university-college/.